Linking Verbs vs. Action Verbs: Know the Difference

Understanding the difference between linking verbs and action verbs is crucial for mastering English grammar. This distinction affects sentence structure, meaning, and overall clarity.

This article provides a comprehensive guide to identifying and using linking verbs and action verbs correctly. Whether you’re an ESL student, a writer looking to refine your prose, or simply someone interested in improving your grammar skills, this article will equip you with the knowledge and practice you need to confidently navigate the nuances of these two verb types.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Definitions of Linking Verbs and Action Verbs
3. Linking Verbs
4. Action Verbs
5. Structural Breakdown
6. Linking Verb Sentence Structure
7. Action Verb Sentence Structure
8. Types and Categories
9. Common Linking Verbs
10. Transitive Action Verbs
11. Intransitive Action Verbs
12. Examples
13. Linking Verb Examples
14. Action Verb Examples
15. Usage Rules
16. Linking Verb Usage Rules
17. Action Verb Usage Rules
18. Common Mistakes
19. Common Mistakes with Linking Verbs
20. Common Mistakes with Action Verbs
21. Practice Exercises
22. Exercise 1: Identifying Linking and Action Verbs
23. Exercise 2: Using Linking Verbs Correctly
24. Exercise 3: Choosing the Right Verb Type
25. Advanced Topics
26. Linking Verbs in the Subjunctive Mood
27. Action Verbs in Complex Sentences
28. FAQ
29. Conclusion

Definitions of Linking Verbs and Action Verbs

Verbs are the backbone of sentences, indicating actions, occurrences, or states of being. Understanding the different types of verbs is essential for constructing grammatically correct and meaningful sentences.

This section will explore the definitions of linking verbs and action verbs, highlighting their distinct roles in sentence structure.

Linking Verbs

A linking verb connects the subject of a sentence to a noun or adjective that describes or renames the subject. Unlike action verbs, linking verbs do not show action. Instead, they express a state of being, condition, or characteristic. They “link” the subject to a subject complement, which provides further information about the subject.

Common linking verbs include forms of the verb to be (is, are, was, were, am, been, being), as well as verbs like seem, appear, become, look, feel, taste, smell, sound, and grow. These verbs don’t describe an action performed by the subject; rather, they indicate a quality, state, or identity of the subject. The subject complement can be a noun, pronoun, or adjective.

Action Verbs

An action verb describes a physical or mental action performed by the subject of a sentence. These verbs indicate what the subject is doing. Action verbs are the most common type of verb in the English language and are essential for conveying activity and movement.

Action verbs can be transitive or intransitive. A transitive verb takes a direct object, which is the noun or pronoun that receives the action of the verb. For example, in the sentence “She kicked the ball,” the verb “kicked” is transitive, and “ball” is the direct object. An intransitive verb does not take a direct object. For example, in the sentence “He sleeps,” the verb “sleeps” is intransitive.

Structural Breakdown

The structure of a sentence is significantly influenced by whether it contains a linking verb or an action verb. Understanding these structural differences is crucial for constructing grammatically correct and meaningful sentences.

This section breaks down the typical sentence structures associated with each verb type.

Linking Verb Sentence Structure

The basic structure of a sentence with a linking verb is: Subject + Linking Verb + Subject Complement. The subject complement renames or describes the subject. It can be a noun, a pronoun, or an adjective. The linking verb acts as a bridge between the subject and the subject complement, indicating a state of being or characteristic of the subject.

For example, in the sentence “The soup is delicious,” “soup” is the subject, “is” is the linking verb, and “delicious” is the subject complement (an adjective) that describes the soup. Another example is “He became a doctor,” where “he” is the subject, “became” is the linking verb, and “doctor” is the subject complement (a noun) that renames the subject.

Action Verb Sentence Structure

The structure of a sentence with an action verb depends on whether the verb is transitive or intransitive. For a transitive action verb, the structure is: Subject + Action Verb + Direct Object. The direct object receives the action of the verb. For an intransitive action verb, the structure is: Subject + Action Verb. Intransitive verbs do not take a direct object.

For example, in the sentence “The dog chased the cat,” “dog” is the subject, “chased” is the transitive action verb, and “cat” is the direct object. In the sentence “The bird flew,” “bird” is the subject, and “flew” is the intransitive action verb.

Types and Categories

Both linking verbs and action verbs can be further categorized based on their specific functions and meanings. This section explores the different types of linking verbs and the two main categories of action verbs: transitive and intransitive.

Common Linking Verbs

While forms of the verb to be are the most common linking verbs, several other verbs can also function as linking verbs depending on the context. These verbs often relate to the senses or changes in state. It’s crucial to understand how these verbs can function as both linking verbs and action verbs, depending on their usage in a sentence.

Here’s a list of common linking verbs:

• Forms of to be: is, are, was, were, am, been, being
• Sense-related verbs: look, feel, smell, taste, sound
• Verbs of becoming or appearing: become, seem, appear, grow, turn, remain

Transitive Action Verbs

Transitive verbs are action verbs that take a direct object. The direct object is the noun or pronoun that receives the action of the verb. Transitive verbs always have someone or something receiving the action.

Examples of transitive verbs include hit, kick, eat, write, read, build, and paint. In the sentence “She wrote a letter,” “wrote” is the transitive verb, and “letter” is the direct object. The action of writing is being done to the letter.

Intransitive Action Verbs

Intransitive verbs are action verbs that do not take a direct object. The action is complete in itself and does not need to be performed on something else. Intransitive verbs often describe states of being, movement, or processes.

Examples of intransitive verbs include sleep, laugh, cry, sneeze, cough, and arrive. In the sentence “He sleeps,” “sleeps” is the intransitive verb. There is no direct object receiving the action of sleeping.

Examples

To solidify your understanding of linking verbs and action verbs, this section provides numerous examples illustrating their usage in various contexts. These examples are categorized to highlight the different functions and structures associated with each verb type.

Linking Verb Examples

The following table presents examples of sentences using linking verbs. Note how the linking verb connects the subject to a subject complement that describes or renames the subject.

Sentence	Subject	Linking Verb	Subject Complement	Type of Subject Complement
The sky is blue.	The sky	is	blue	Adjective
She seems happy.	She	seems	happy	Adjective
The food tastes delicious.	The food	tastes	delicious	Adjective
He became a teacher.	He	became	a teacher	Noun
They are doctors.	They	are	doctors	Noun
It was cold.	It	was	cold	Adjective
The music sounds beautiful.	The music	sounds	beautiful	Adjective
The flowers smell fragrant.	The flowers	smell	fragrant	Adjective
He is being difficult.	He	is being	difficult	Adjective
She remained calm.	She	remained	calm	Adjective
The story appears true.	The story	appears	true	Adjective
The milk turned sour.	The milk	turned	sour	Adjective
I am a student.	I	am	a student	Noun
You are kind.	You	are	kind	Adjective
We were tired.	We	were	tired	Adjective
They were friends.	They	were	friends	Noun
It seems strange.	It	seems	strange	Adjective
That is my car.	That	is	my car	Noun
He looks sick.	He	looks	sick	Adjective
She feels happy.	She	feels	happy	Adjective
The coffee smells strong.	The coffee	smells	strong	Adjective
The cake tastes sweet.	The cake	tastes	sweet	Adjective
The plan sounds good.	The plan	sounds	good	Adjective
The child grew tall.	The child	grew	tall	Adjective
The answer is correct.	The answer	is	correct	Adjective
My name is John.	My name	is	John	Noun

These examples illustrate how linking verbs connect the subject to a description or renaming, rather than showing an action performed by the subject. The subject complement provides essential information about the subject’s state, quality, or identity.

Action Verb Examples

The following tables provide examples of sentences using action verbs, categorized as transitive and intransitive. Pay attention to the presence or absence of a direct object.

Sentence	Subject	Action Verb	Direct Object	Verb Type
She reads books.	She	reads	books	Transitive
He kicked the ball.	He	kicked	the ball	Transitive
They built a house.	They	built	a house	Transitive
The dog chased the cat.	The dog	chased	the cat	Transitive
I ate dinner.	I	ate	dinner	Transitive
We wrote a letter.	We	wrote	a letter	Transitive
You painted the wall.	You	painted	the wall	Transitive
He broke the window.	He	broke	the window	Transitive
She caught the ball.	She	caught	the ball	Transitive
They sold their car.	They	sold	their car	Transitive
I need help.	I	need	help	Transitive
He loves music.	He	loves	music	Transitive
She enjoys reading.	She	enjoys	reading	Transitive
They appreciate honesty.	They	appreciate	honesty	Transitive
We respect their opinion.	We	respect	their opinion	Transitive
The company employs many people.	The company	employs	many people	Transitive
The chef prepared a meal.	The chef	prepared	a meal	Transitive
The artist created a sculpture.	The artist	created	a sculpture	Transitive
The student answered the question.	The student	answered	the question	Transitive
The team won the game.	The team	won	the game	Transitive
She speaks Spanish.	She	speaks	Spanish	Transitive
He understands math.	He	understands	math	Transitive
They learned the lesson.	They	learned	the lesson	Transitive
I remember the day.	I	remember	the day	Transitive
You forgot your keys.	You	forgot	your keys	Transitive

These examples demonstrate how transitive verbs transfer their action to a direct object. The direct object receives the action performed by the subject.

Sentence	Subject	Action Verb	Direct Object	Verb Type
He sleeps.	He	sleeps		Intransitive
She laughs.	She	laughs		Intransitive
They arrived.	They	arrived		Intransitive
The bird flew.	The bird	flew		Intransitive
I cried.	I	cried		Intransitive
We danced.	We	danced		Intransitive
You waited.	You	waited		Intransitive
He sneezed.	He	sneezed		Intransitive
She coughed.	She	coughed		Intransitive
They left.	They	left		Intransitive
The sun rises.	The sun	rises		Intransitive
The river flows.	The river	flows		Intransitive
The baby crawled.	The baby	crawled		Intransitive
The dog barked.	The dog	barked		Intransitive
The phone rang.	The phone	rang		Intransitive
The rain fell.	The rain	fell		Intransitive
The snow melted.	The snow	melted		Intransitive
The wind blows.	The wind	blows		Intransitive
The leaves rustled.	The leaves	rustled		Intransitive
The stars twinkled.	The stars	twinkled		Intransitive
The clock ticked.	The clock	ticked		Intransitive
The engine started.	The engine	started		Intransitive
The door closed.	The door	closed		Intransitive
The crowd cheered.	The crowd	cheered		Intransitive
The cake baked.	The cake	baked		Intransitive

These examples illustrate how intransitive verbs express a complete action without needing a direct object. The action is self-contained and does not act upon something else.

Usage Rules

Understanding the specific rules governing the use of linking verbs and action verbs is essential for constructing grammatically correct sentences. This section outlines these rules, including exceptions and special cases, to help you use each type of verb accurately.

Linking Verb Usage Rules

The primary rule for linking verbs is that they connect the subject to a subject complement that describes or renames the subject. Here are some key rules to remember:

• Subject Complement: Linking verbs must always be followed by a subject complement. This can be a noun, pronoun, or adjective.
• State of Being: Linking verbs express a state of being, condition, or characteristic of the subject, not an action performed by the subject.
• Sense Verbs: Verbs related to the senses (look, feel, smell, taste, sound) can be linking verbs when they describe a sensory quality of the subject. If they describe an action, they are action verbs. For example, “She looks tired” (linking verb) vs. “She looks at the painting” (action verb).
• Forms of to be: Forms of to be (is, are, was, were, am, been, being) are almost always linking verbs.
• Consistency: Ensure that the subject and subject complement agree in number. For example, “The books are interesting” (plural subject and plural verb).

Action Verb Usage Rules

Action verbs describe actions performed by the subject. Here are some key rules to remember:

• Transitive Verbs: Transitive verbs must have a direct object that receives the action of the verb.
• Intransitive Verbs: Intransitive verbs do not have a direct object. The action is complete in itself.
• Active Voice: Action verbs are often used in the active voice, where the subject performs the action.
• Tense Consistency: Ensure that the verb tense is consistent within a sentence or paragraph.
• Agreement: The verb must agree with the subject in number and person. For example, “He runs” (singular subject, singular verb) vs. “They run” (plural subject, plural verb).

Common Mistakes

Even experienced English speakers sometimes make mistakes when using linking verbs and action verbs. This section addresses common errors and provides correct examples to help you avoid these pitfalls.

Common Mistakes with Linking Verbs

One common mistake is using an adverb instead of an adjective after a linking verb. Since linking verbs describe the state of the subject, adjectives are needed to modify the subject.

Another mistake is confusing linking verbs with action verbs, especially with sense-related verbs.

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
She feels badly.	She feels bad.	“Bad” is an adjective describing her feeling, not an adverb modifying the verb “feels.”
He looks angrily.	He looks angry.	“Angry” is an adjective describing his appearance, not an adverb modifying the verb “looks.”
The flower smells sweetly.	The flower smells sweet.	“Sweet” is an adjective describing the flower’s scent, not an adverb modifying the verb “smells.”
They are hardly working.	They are hard at work.	“are” is a linking verb and “hard at work” describes “they”. “Hardly” is an adverb.
He seems sadly.	He seems sad.	“Sad” is an adjective describing his appearance, not an adverb modifying the verb “seems.”

It is important to remember that linking verbs describe the state or condition of the subject and should be followed by adjectives, not adverbs.

Common Mistakes with Action Verbs

Common mistakes with action verbs include using transitive verbs without a direct object or using intransitive verbs with a direct object. Another frequent error is incorrect verb tense or subject-verb agreement.

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
He ate. (Intended to mean he ate something specific)	He ate dinner.	The transitive verb “ate” requires a direct object (what he ate).
She slept the bed.	She slept in the bed.	“Slept” is an intransitive verb and does not take a direct object.
They arrives late.	They arrive late.	Incorrect subject-verb agreement. “They” is plural, so the verb should be “arrive.”
He run fast yesterday.	He ran fast yesterday.	Incorrect verb tense. “Yesterday” indicates past tense, so the verb should be “ran.”
I am agree with you.	I agree with you.	“Agree” is an action verb and does not need the auxiliary “am”.

Always ensure that transitive verbs have a direct object and that verbs agree with their subjects in number and person. Pay close attention to verb tense to maintain consistency and clarity in your writing.

Practice Exercises

To reinforce your understanding of linking verbs and action verbs, complete the following exercises. Each exercise focuses on a different aspect of identifying and using these verb types correctly.

Exercise 1: Identifying Linking and Action Verbs

Identify whether the underlined verb in each sentence is a linking verb (LV) or an action verb (AV).

Question	Answer
1. The coffee smells strong.	LV
2. She smells the flowers.	AV
3. He is a doctor.	LV
4. They are running late.	AV
5. The soup tastes delicious.	LV
6. She tasted the soup carefully.	AV
7. He looks tired.	LV
8. She looked at the painting.	AV
9. The music sounds beautiful.	LV
10. He sounded the alarm.	AV

Exercise 2: Using Linking Verbs Correctly

Fill in the blank with the correct form of the linking verb in parentheses.

Question	Answer
1. The sky ____ (be) blue.	is
2. She ____ (seem) happy.	seems
3. The food ____ (taste) delicious.	tastes
4. He ____ (become) a teacher.	became
5. They ____ (be) doctors.	are
6. It ____ (be) cold yesterday.	was
7. The music ____ (sound) beautiful.	sounds
8. The flowers ____ (smell) fragrant.	smell
9. He ____ (be) being difficult.	is
10. She ____ (remain) calm.	remained

Exercise 3: Choosing the Right Verb Type

Choose the correct verb (linking or action) to complete each sentence.

Question	Answer
1. The cake ____ (tastes/tasted) delicious.	tastes
2. She ____ (looked/looked at) the stars.	looked at
3. He ____ (is/runs) fast.	runs
4. They ____ (are/become) friends.	are
5. The soup ____ (smells/smelled) good.	smells
6. I ____ (feel/felt) happy today.	feel
7. You ____ (are/drive) a car.	drive
8. We ____ (were/visited) the museum.	visited
9. It ____ (is/rains) often here.	rains
10. She ____ (seems/seemed) tired.	seems

Advanced Topics

For advanced learners, understanding the nuances of linking verbs and action verbs in more complex grammatical structures can further enhance their proficiency. This section explores some advanced topics related to these verb types.

Linking Verbs in the Subjunctive Mood

The subjunctive mood is used to express wishes, suggestions, or hypothetical situations. Linking verbs, particularly forms of to be, can appear in the subjunctive mood. For example, “I suggest that he be present at the meeting.” In this sentence, “be” is in the subjunctive mood, expressing a suggestion.

Another example is “It is essential that she be informed immediately.” The subjunctive “be” emphasizes the importance of informing her. Understanding the subjunctive mood allows for more nuanced and formal expression.

Action Verbs in Complex Sentences

Complex sentences contain an independent clause and one or more dependent clauses. Action verbs play a crucial role in both types of clauses.

The action verb in the independent clause expresses the main action, while action verbs in the dependent clauses provide additional information or context.

For example, “Because she studied hard, she passed the exam.” The independent clause is “she passed the exam,” with “passed” as the action verb. The dependent clause is “Because she studied hard,” with “studied” as the action verb. The dependent clause provides the reason for her passing the exam.

Another example is “He went to the store after he finished work.” The independent clause is “He went to the store,” with “went” as the action verb. The dependent clause is “after he finished work,” with “finished” as the action verb. The dependent clause specifies the time when he went to the store.

FAQ

This section addresses frequently asked questions about linking verbs and action verbs, providing detailed answers to common queries.

1. What is the difference between a linking verb and an action verb?
   A linking verb connects the subject of a sentence to a noun or adjective that describes or renames the subject, expressing a state of being or characteristic. An action verb, on the other hand, describes a physical or mental action performed by the subject.
2. How can I identify a linking verb in a sentence?
   Look for verbs that express a state of being or

   characteristic of the subject. Common linking verbs include forms of “to be” (is, are, was, were, am, been, being), as well as verbs like “seem,” “appear,” “become,” “look,” “feel,” “taste,” “smell,” and “sound.” If you can replace the verb with a form of “to be” and the sentence still makes sense, it’s likely a linking verb.

3. Can a verb be both a linking verb and an action verb?
   Yes, many verbs can function as either linking verbs or action verbs, depending on the context. For example, “look,” “feel,” “taste,” “smell,” and “sound” can be linking verbs when they describe a quality of the subject, but they are action verbs when they describe an action performed by the subject.
4. What is a subject complement?
   A subject complement is a noun, pronoun, or adjective that follows a linking verb and describes or renames the subject of the sentence. It provides additional information about the subject’s state, quality, or identity.
5. What is a direct object?
   A direct object is a noun or pronoun that receives the action of a transitive verb. It answers the question “whom?” or “what?” after the verb. Only transitive action verbs have direct objects.
6. How do I avoid common mistakes with linking verbs and action verbs?
   To avoid mistakes, always ensure that linking verbs are followed by adjectives or nouns that describe the subject, not adverbs. For action verbs, ensure that transitive verbs have a direct object and that intransitive verbs do not. Pay attention to subject-verb agreement and verb tense.

Conclusion

Mastering the distinction between linking verbs and action verbs is fundamental to writing clear, grammatically correct sentences. By understanding their definitions, structures, and usage rules, you can improve your overall command of the English language.

This article has provided a comprehensive guide to identifying and using linking verbs and action verbs effectively. With consistent practice and attention to detail, you can confidently navigate the nuances of these verb types and enhance your writing skills.